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How do you maintain/waterproof/polish/clean your boots?

Now that I've invested in some nice boots, I need to figure out what supplies to have on hand to take care of them properly. What do you use & recommend? What is your maintenance/cleaning/waterproofing routine? I know this has come up in bits and pieces before, but I need a proper, thorough training on boot care. (The only part I've got down pat is using boot shapers for storage.) Many, many thanks!

Being from the west and having taken care of leather goods like cowboy boots and saddles before I treat them much the way I would those type of goods (unless it is a more "painted" leather finish, like leather shoes, in which case i would polish like shoes). I use saddle soap on them when they get dusty/dirty/before I put them away for the season and then use a good leather conditioner afterwords. I like mink oil-- which also waterproofs boots. When I got my fryes I was surprised that they recommended the same procedure.

It is the best, imo. My family has been using it on boots (mostly cowboy and work boots, for generations). Leather soaks it up. Although it can slightly darken the leather (usually temporarily) on light colored boots-- but almost all leather conditioner will and it is an important part of leather care.

I also had someone recommend Dubbin to me (google). Apparently it is made by the Doc Marten company and is what they recommend to use on their boots and is a great waterproofer.

I do have mink oil and saddle experience - we used these 30-40 years ago for anything leather. We learned the hard way that excessive mink oil does NOT do good things for the stitching on boots. So don't pile it on there.

Also, I pulled out some older mink oil (10+ years?) to treat my daughter's newly thrifted boots and when I was done, they had a milky sort of film over them. Yuck! I had just ruined a great pair of deep red vintage boots. I was at my favorite cobbler shortly after that to buy new mink oil and he suggested I use a hair blowdryer to melt in the old milky stuff. It worked like a charm! So, even new mink oil can get stuck in creases, etc. and the hot air can melt it in!

elly - Dubbin is what Nordstrom's has been recommending to me when I ask - in care of their Frye boots (they sell it for $7). I wonder if that would be true of all Nordies or region specific. . .

Oh, idk-- when I bought my frye's they came with a information tag from the manufacturer (mine are a pair made in the USA) that suggested the mink oil and saddle soap. I have never had a problem with the mink oil before, but don't use it on boots with a ton of stitching (not a wearer of fancy dress cowboy boots, more like ranch boots). The good think about it is that it essentially a natural oil, so leather takes it well-- but unlike vegetable based oils it won't go rancid on ya. Generally the rubbing you do to put it on and polish the excess off will be enough to completely liquefy it and absorb it. We use enough in my family that we don't have the real old stuff sitting around though (I usually just cheat and do my boots when I visit my family in colorado, a couple a times in the winter during holidays) between me and two men that wear boots exclusively year-around, ours gets lots of use.

Well, now I have even more questions. Those of you who use clear polish, is this a liquid or solid? Is one brand better than another or are they all about the same?

How do you figure out whether to use mink oil, saddle soap, polish or a spray? Kiwi makes all of these, but in reading some of their descriptions I'm not sure which to use. It sounds like the polish is for more finished leather and the others for less finished? I have more rugged and stiff leather boots like Fryes, then more finished (and thinner, more supple) leather dress boots like Stuart Weitzman and Sudini.

Neatsfoot oil has the benefits of stay a liquid no matter the temperature, so it never hardens. However, most neatsfoot oils are mixed with rapeseed or mineral oils. Mineral oils will speed the breakdown of the leather and any stitching. Pure or compounded neatsfoot oil can oxidize over time and signifigantly darken the leather. It is an animal fat, similar to lard-- it just melts at a lower point.

Mink oil is more like the human sebum (or hair and skin oil). It can be used on all leathers as both a conditioner and to protect. It also works as a waterproofer and can be used on extremely dry hands or skin in the winter (so long as there aren't any potentially harmful additives).

Saddle soap contains neatsfoot oil and usually lanolin and glycerin.

For your rugged boots I personally would use mink oil unless they are dirty (then saddle soap). Most polished dress boots can be waterproofed with mink oil or you can use a clear polish in liquid or solid form (you may prefer the liquid for darker boots). Sprays work best for boots with a suede or fabric component-- imo.

I may look into whether my Nordstrom treats boots like they do at the flagship. I also need to start looking around for a good cobbler. If anyone has any suggestions for one in the Boston area, feel free to PM me!

I second elly's comments about mink oil for waterproofing and adding moisture to the leather; saddle soap for cleaning up leather. I have followed up with mink oil after a saddle soap cleaning. This is usually with a non-glazed leather.

For leathers that have a glazed or shinier finish I used clear polish instead to keep the 'shine'.

I do the same as Elly. I'm not a Westerner by birth but was an Eastcoast horsewoman! I always use saddle soap to clean my leather goods - boots, bridles, saddles, etc. I use mink oil as needed. Usually only once or twice a season for boots and shoes. For shiny finished shoes I'll use polish instead of mink oil. Most often I use neutral but if if there are scuffs I'll use colored.

I'm sparing with my use of polish as it can build up. When I was in the Army I occasionally used rubbing alcohol to remove excess before polishing. However I would not do that with a nice pair of boots; just polish less often. I prided myself on my beautifully polished boots in the military.

For suede I use suede cleaner and waterproofing spray as well as a suede brush.

RandomThoughts, thanks for the detailed info on how you care for your boots. Excellent! BTW ~ Horsewoman, 80s punk-rocker type, AND you've been in the Army? You have such an interesting background ~ yet someone else on YLF I'd love to sit down with for a cuppa.

OK, so I have a list so far of supplies I need. But ~ I have one other type of boot I'm not sure how to care for. This pair is a "weather resistant oiled leather that is treated to stay dry in most weather conditions." They're not quite like my Fryes yet they're not polished leather either. Unfortunately there was no info on how to care for them in the box. What would be best?

I'm sorry for threadjacking Sparkie - Angie, can you please provide some info on what bootshapers you use ? I have a pair of boots that has creased in the front from laying flat in the box ( just like a pair of trousers LOL). I kind of came up with a makeshift solution of putting rolled towels inside them but I would love a better alternative. I'm sorry if this has been discussed before.
I am loving all of the recommendations!

The one trick that works for me is to spot clean any dirt, grime etc right away. Leather is a natural product, as we know, and absorbs everything. I keep a travel size pouch of unscented baby wipes handy to spot clean any salt, spills etc from my leather shoes, boots and bags. Just make sure there is NO ALCOHOL on the wipes (there should not be any but I still check) You should never rub, just very gently wipe the surface applying no pressure at all.